President Droupadi Murmu visited the National War Memorial in Lilongwe, Malawi, on Friday to pay tribute to soldiers, including those from India, who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars. Murmu arrived in Malawi on Thursday as part of the final leg of her three-nation tour of Africa. She is the first Indian Head of State to visit the African nation.
"President Droupadi Murmu visited the National War Memorial in Lilongwe and paid floral tribute to the soldiers and civilians who laid down their lives during the First and Second World War and other military operations," her office stated in a post on X. The statement also emphasized her tribute to Indian soldiers, whose sacrifices are commemorated at the memorial. In addition to her visit to the war memorial, President Murmu laid a wreath at the Kamuzu Mausoleum, the resting place of Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda, the first President of Malawi.
Earlier on Thursday, Murmu addressed the Indian community in Malawi, praising them as a "living link" between the two countries. She also spoke at the India-Malawi Business Meet, highlighting the significant potential for enhancing bilateral cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, mining, energy, and tourism. President Murmu was welcomed at Kamuzu International Airport by Malawi’s Vice President, Michael Usi. Her visit to Malawi follows successful visits to Algeria and Mauritania, where she engaged in discussions with her counterparts to strengthen bilateral relations.